Once used as iron works, shipbuilding and as a coal wharf, we’ve gradually redeveloped to provide tranquility in an urban landscape.
The site is a bloom of flowers and buzzing insects during the summer months. Interconnecting ponds teem with life such as newts and Water Scorpion. The surrounding tidal river attracts flocks of waders such as Redshank when the mud is exposed at low tide.
The site boasts an outdoor classroom that can be used by school and youth groups throughout the year. The site holds a prestigious Green Flag Award.
Bow Creek Ecology Park
In August
WILDLIFE AND HABITATS
Bow Creek has been awarded a Green Flag Award for the fourth year running; this is a national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. The award scheme began in 1996 as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country.
Many birds are in the middle of their moult in August and can be looking drab. Feathers are replaced gradually so as not to ground the bird. August sees the departure of the majority of swifts. A reminder of just how soon autumn will be approaching. The Coots have had their fourth brood this year; also look out for the Mallards who have had a second clutch.
As the meadows start to brown; you will still see the purple spikes of the Purple Loostrife, Broad Leaved Everlasting Pea and Field Scabious flowering in the later summer months, there are many butterfly species flitting about the meadows Common Blue, meadow Brown Gatekeepers, Green Veined White; and the seeding flowers attract many birds such as Gold Finches.
USER FORUM MEETING
The next User Forum meeting will be held on Wednesday 25th August at:
The Rotunda, Virginia Quay Jamestown Way, Tower Hamlets, E14,
Contact Ges Hoddinott on 0208 988 7565 for details.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer in the park this August at:
• 6th – 2012 Changing places, Sanding down the Jetty , painting benches on East India Dock Basin, 10am
• 11th – Summer Glow, Ponds and painting on Bow Creek, 10am.
If you would like to volunteer in the Lee Valley Park, please contact our Volunteers Officer, David Hurtley, on 01992 709867